Nagaland Governor La Ganesan addressed the convocation ceremony of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at Tharamani, Chennai on Saturday.
A press release by PRO Raj Bhavan stated that in his address, governor Ganesan said he was proud to be amongst the graduating students as Governor of Nagaland, a state known for its rich traditional textiles and craftsmanship.
Speaking on the journey of NIFT, the governor said the institute was to supply the global textile and apparel industry with professional human resources, which have been nothing short of remarkable since its establishment in 1986.
With 18 full-fledged campuses across the country, he said NIFT has been working as a knowledge service provider to the central government as well as to the state governments in the area of design development and positioning of handloom and handicraft.
Governor Ganesan said that the NIFT Chennai traces its humble origin to 1995 and that today it has raised the bar for the nation’s fashion education, with an envious position among the top five fashion institutes – a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence.
The governor lauded NIFT Chennai for being pioneers in financially self-sustaining campus, effectively contributing to the fashion industry, government machinery, and craft sector through numerous domestic and international projects and consultancies. He said the institute continues to inspire with its commitment to environmental sustainability.
To the graduating students, the governor said they are poised to redefine the world, to set new trends, and to breathe life into fabrics with creativity and innovation.
Stating that fashion industry has the power to make substantial positive impacts, governor Ganesan reminded the graduating students to aim at sustainable practices. “The art we create should reflect not only our creativity but also our care and respect for our environment,” he said.
He reminded the students that they are not just designers or fashion enthusiasts but they are also the ambassadors of a culture, the creators of trends, and the front-runners in innovation.
The governor then said it was their responsibility to uphold the vast and diverse cultures of the nation while pushing the boundaries in the global fashion domain.
Pointing out that they are the artists of the future and the newest torchbearers in the realm of fashion, he urged them to go forth and create a trend that combines beauty with conscience in their journey.
Later, the governor handed over the gold medal and citation to 37 award winners and meritorious students, and awarded 282 graduates from Class of 2023 with degrees.
Earlier, the presidential address was delivered by director general NIFT, welcome address and Academic Report 2022-23 was given by the Director NIFT, Chennai Professor Dr. Anitha Manhohar. The convocation pledge was administered by the dean academic Professor Dr Sudha.